What Are You Reading? 2016.1 Showing 1,551-1,600 of 1,869

[Mary Beth]

I finished Faithless and loved it. I love the Grant County Series. I am now reading Cold Pursuit which is the 2nd book in the Cold Justice Series.

[Joan]

What does the phrase "the die is cast" mean to you? How about "the chips are down".

[Sarah]

Joan wrote: "What does the phrase "the die is cast" mean to you? How about "the chips are down"."

What book is this in relation to?

[Travis]

The die is cast. Whatever haopens happens. The gears are in motion. It is all up yo fate now. Same as with the chips being down. Once you place that bet and your hands leave the chips it all comes down to qho has the better hand you can't quick and make a lesser bet. Again its all up to fate or luck now.

Both mean you made a decision and its final. There is no way to change it juat wait and see how it all pans out

[Sandra, Moderator]

"The coin is in the air" is a way we say it in Spanish. The coin is already flying, it is about fate on which side it will fall.

[Travis]

Or lay in the bed you've made. There are bunches of them when you think of it


Basically anything out of your control and you must just watch and see how it plays out until the end.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Oh, yeah. We have that one too.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished reading Life or Death for the Sai King Recommend's group read.

Next up is my final book for the All Continent's sweep in the geocache challenge - Sahara.

[Travis]

Be interested what you think Janice. I read one Clive Cussler book in my life and decided it wasn't for me. All action with no real substance. Maybe I'll try another someday

[Janice, Moderator]

This one likely will have a lot of action too, but my selections for a book set in Mali was limited. I recall seeing the movie with Matthew McConaughey.

[Joan]

Sandra & Travis, thanks, I was looking for a good translation of "Les jeux sont faits".
The coin is in the air works perfectly.
The english translations weren't working for me. I somehow mix "the chips are down" with stalwart friends sticking by " when the chips are down". And casting a die reminds me of making a mould for machining.

Sarah - both Pushkin and Sartre flummoxed me by using the phrase, those darn classics writers :\

[Joan]

I am trying to find the audio book with Stephen Fry reading Eugene Onegin by Pushkin. Can anyone give me some hints about where to look?
Fry posted a twitter thing but the link doesn't work.
Amazon Does not have it.
A fan posted it on YouTube but I would like a good quality download.
THANKS

[Peggy]

I finished Orange Is the New Black and really enjoyed it: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I finished it right on time to start the group read, True Grit

[Dem]

Just finished and loved The Wonder

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1751337913

[Joan]

Peggy, do you watch the serial Orange is the New Black? If so do you think reading the book enhances or detracts from the show?

[Sarah]

I started reading 20th Century GhostsAfter discussing short stories in one of the threads this week, i thought it was time to read another book of them. Plus it's October and i want a scary read so this is perfect. I'll still be reading it come Halloween as i have also started Caliban's War for the monthly challenge.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Dance of Death in the Pendergast series and really enjoyed it. There's a bit of a cliff hanger, so will read the next book soon. I just have a couple books before it.

I will start The Sky Is Everywhere on audiobook a little later today. This one is for the group challenge.

I also started The Gift of Rain on ebook for our buddy read, setting aside Sahara for the time being.

[Lisa]

I started The Gift of Rain for our buddy read too.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm reading The Memory of Things just because it came in from the library and I need to return it soon. I'm not sure what I think of it yet. It has a strange format, but I think it will be a fairly quick read.

[Mariab]

I finished The Demon and the City for the Geo Ch
I have started Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot for the Geo-Ch (The Souvenirs' Quest)

[Dem]

Finished The Orphan Mother: A Novel

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1742532214

[Lilisa]

September was a great reading month with some really good reads. Some new reviews here: Nefertiti. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... - 4 stars
A Great Reckoning Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... - 5 stars yay for Armand Gamache and his creator Louise Penny
Flight of Dreams Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... - another 5 stars
A Gentleman in Moscow Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... - and another 5 stars!

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Sky Is Everywhere for the monthly challenge.

Tomorrow, I will start Epitaph for the group themed read.

[Joan]

Feeling befuddled, I decided to try Magical Realism for the Criss cross challenge; I haven't read much fantasy or any MR. I'm 25 pages into Moscow but Dreaming and I just don't understand.

[Janice, Moderator]

I think Magical Realism is a tough one, and easily confused with other genres. Personally, I wouldn't classify MR as fantasy. It's more realistic fiction with magical elements that appear normal. That means different things to different people, I guess.

[Mary Beth]

I am reading The Truth Factory by Cody Mcfadyen definately not for the faint of heart but so good. I love this series.

[Peggy]

I'm about to start Seriously Mum, Where's That Donkey? for the geocache challenge. I planned to read What Is the What for that specific task, but I need quick and light books right now.

[Amanda]

I was at the Brooklyn Book Festival for work a few weeks ago and picked up some really great reads. I've really enjoyed everything I brought home this year. Nine Island H is for Hawk Remembering Akbar: Inside the Iranian Revolution

[Mariab]

I'm reading for the Geo Ch (green cover)
I would go faster, but I have to google each plant in order to place it. The book has not enough illustrations (to my taste)

[Joan]

Moscow but Dreaming is a great collection of short stories, tightly written, full of tension; Goodreads lists it as magical realism; I would describe it as classic ghost stories.

[Lisa]

I abandoned The Gift of Rain because I was finding it a struggle to get through. The writing was good (as expected) but I don't think I am in the mood for it right now.

I am now going to start The King's General.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Gift of Rain. My dad came sleepy-eyes out of his bedroom at 1:30 this morning, surprised to see me still reading. I couldn't put the book down till I finished it. It was a very powerful story that will haunt me, I'm sure.

Now I can get back to Sahara. I've got my eye to the continents badge.

[Mariab]

I finished Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities for the Geo Ch.
The cat may not be plotting to kill us, but our gardens surely are!
Now I have begun The Coincidence of Coconut Cake. I don't know why, but the text is somehow difficult for me...

[Dem]

Finished and enjoyed The Aran Islands
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1778009620

[Joan]

Dem, snce you liked The Aran Islands, you may enjoy Far Afield by Suzana Kaysen, it is fiction but apparently quite accurate about life on the Faroe Islands. I really enjoyed it.( It is not like her Girl Interrupted)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Joan wrote: " Moscow but Dreaming is a great collection of short stories, tightly written, full of tension; Goodreads lists it as magical realism; I would describe it as classic ghost stories."

That's interesting, Joan. I classed Moscow But Dreaming as urban fantasy even. It's got a lot Slavic and Russian folklore stories in urban, modern settings (including a Rusalka or two). It for me could slip into the magical realism genre, but was a bit fantastical. Isn't is funny how we all read things and class them differently? Completely proving Janice's point!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I am really trying to start reading again, after a bad spell. Just horrible work, and lots of busy life things, I just needed bad tv and computer games for the past two months or so to completely zone out into and not think. I am trying to pull myself out of it as I miss reading.

So, trying with Tooth and Nail. It's almost hitting the spot, which is fantastic. Serial killers, Scottish, sarcastic copper, whodunnits. I'm hoping it continues in this vein, as it seems to me that this may be the book where Rebus (inspector) and Rankin (the author) hits their stride.

[Peggy]

I hope life gets easier for you now Rusalka. I had the same, I still read but less than usual. Now I'm reading more again, but still only short and easy books, no chunksters or reading that needs too much thinking. And lots of netflix and crocheting too ;-)

I started The Exquisite and Immaculate Grace of Carmen Espinoza for the geocache challenge, a book set in Mexico. It seemed like a Mexico setting from the blurb, but I'm afraid it will not meet the 70% set in Mexico criterium by far..

[Lisa]

I hope life calms down for you now, Rusalka.

[Joan]

Rusalka wrote: "Joan wrote: " Moscow but Dreaming is a great collection of short stories, tightly written, full of tension; Goodreads lists it as magical realism; I would describe it as classic ghost stories."

Th..."

I thought of you when Rusalka was mentioned in Moscow But Dreaming
also I will be seeing Rusalka the opera by Dvorak in the spring.

There are so many genre categories on Goodreads that I rather think the labels are not really helpful. I actually found this one the old fashioned way - I asked the librarian for a recommendation on Magical Realism.

[Joan]

Rusalka did you enjoy Moscow but Dreaming? I loved it. I think I will try reading more magical realism.

[Sarah]

Glad that you are back commenting Rusalka (and Peggy) - we missed you. YLTO has been a bit quieter in recent months.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Thanks Sarah. I have missed everyone, it's good to be back. And thanks everyone for the well wishes.

I enjoyed Moscow, Joan. There were some stories I liked more than others, like I still can't stop thinking about the Bank story. Mostly great writing. I wonder how she would go with a novel. Will have to pick one up and find out!

[Joan]

Rusalka wrote: "Thanks Sarah. I have missed everyone, it's good to be back. And thanks everyone for the well wishes.

I enjoyed Moscow, Joan. There were some stories I liked more than others, like I still can't s..."

I hope you have found some really bad but effective t.v.

I liked "A Handsome Fellow" & "Kikimora" the best I think. This is one of those rare books that I can imagine rereading and enjoying differently each time.

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished Epitaph this afternoon and immediately started The Trespasser. This is the latest book in the Dublin Murder Squad. Each month, I'm trying to read a newly published book, and this fits that personal challenge.

[Mary Beth]

I am reading Rapture in Death and A Suitable Vengeance.

Janice I would love to see your thoughts on The Trespasser. I am on book 4 of that series.

[Dem]

Finished Lions and while the writing is lyrical I just couldn't connect with the story.

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1775687718

[Peggy]

I started The Whip. I'm buddy reading it with Tasha for the monthly challenge.

[Janice, Moderator]

Mary wrote: "I am reading Rapture in Death and A Suitable Vengeance.

Janice I would love to see your thoughts on The Trespasser. I am on book 4 of that series."

I've listened to just over an hour. It's in first person narrative which is a change from her other books. That took me a bit to get used to, but it wasn't long and I was pulled right into the story. I felt like I was sitting on the couch beside Antoinette participating in the questioning of the victim's friend. I think it's going to be a good one.

I'm thinking that I may reread the entire series some day.

[Joan]

Just started Traitor's Gate by Anne Perry, hoping it is good. I know I read one in this series but I cannot remember anything else about it.